David Moyes pushes back against criticisms of Jack Grealish, insisting the Everton winger has not disappointed during his loan spell, as his 78th-minute strike secured a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Grealish burst onto the scene during his early appearances for Everton after arriving on loan from Manchester City in August. However, his form dipped in recent weeks. The 30-year-old, who endured a fall-out with Pep Guardiola last season at City, had managed just one goal in his first 14 appearances for Everton before netting the decisive goal against Bournemouth.
Moyes praised Grealish for the minutes he’s earning and his overall impact, noting that the player’s contributions go beyond goals, including assists. The goal itself came via a deflected shot in the 78th minute, a moment Moyes joked might have counted as an own goal for Bournemouth defender Bafode Diakite.
"The most important thing for Jack is the amount of game time he’s getting now. He’s delivering for us, both in assists and in scoring," Moyes said. "There were a few matches where he could have been sharper, but he’s unquestionably giving us something valuable."
Moyes also highlighted the positive impression Grealish has made on the supporters, who admire his conduct and approach. "I want him to score more goals. I keep telling him, ‘Your assists are nice, but I want more goals,’" the manager added with a light-hearted joke about the own-goal comment. "He’s an important player for us and he’s helping Everton improve."
Grealish previously won Premier League and Champions League titles with City after joining from Aston Villa in 2021. Yet persistent injuries and reports of late-night partying had hindered his consistency. Despite the uneven form, the England international has expressed satisfaction with his time at Everton, largely due to his strong rapport with Moyes.
"I’ve scored two goals this season—one via a tackle and one from a deflection—but I’ve taken plenty of criticism for not scoring, so I’m glad to contribute," Grealish said. "It’s great to be part of this team. I have a fantastic relationship with the manager. He’s someone I care about deeply, and he makes me want to play for him every day. Credit to him for that."
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